MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Lower speed limits in Seattle gets unanimous approval

Sep 27, 2016, 5:49 AM | Updated: 7:04 am

A plan to increase safety on Seattle’s streets would change the speed limit on all residential st...

A plan to increase safety on Seattle’s streets would change the speed limit on all residential streets from 25 mph to 20 mph. Streets in the “center city” would be reduced from 30 mph to 25 mph. (Chad Elliott, Flickr)

(Chad Elliott, Flickr)

The Seattle City Council approved lowering the speed limit in the downtown core on Monday.

Under the requirement that takes effect in November, the speed limits on arterial streets in and around downtown will be 25 miles per hour instead of 30. Speed limits on residential streets will be reset at 20 miles per hour instead of 25.

Details: How and where Seattle will lower speed limits

Council member Rob Johnson said the lower limits are vital to saving lives in the city.

“Speed kills and we need this legislation to ensure fewer people on our roadways every year perish as a result of collisions,” Johnson said.

The change is part of the “Vision Zero” program, which seeks to end traffic deaths and serious injuries on the road by 2030.

The council said Seattle averages 20 traffic deaths and 170 severe injuries per year.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced there will be 16 new preschool classrooms across Se...

Julia Dallas

Harrell’s office announces Seattle preschool slots for thousands of kids

Thousands more families will have the chance to start their children's Seattle preschool education earlier, thanks to a program launching.

4 hours ago

Digital...

Micki Gamez

How parents can help prevent children from falling victim to online sex crimes

Chances are, if your teen has a cell phone or tablet, they either know someone or they have been the victim of an online sex crime because kids as young as seven are online more than ever. My interest in this story began almost the same time last year when my daughter came home and […]

8 hours ago

Pierce County Jail...

Bill Kaczaraba

Pierce County Corrections chief at odds with the employee guild

The Corrections Bureau's Guild has issued Patti Jackson a vote of 'no confidence,' as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

9 hours ago

Image: A Seattle Police Department vehicle seen during the day...

Sam Campbell

Security guard stabbed, suspect barricades inside Beacon Hill apartment

SWAT officers surrounded a complex in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after police said a man stabbed a guard barricaded himself inside.

11 hours ago

seattle indecent exposure...

Frank Sumrall

Seattle man arrested for 14 counts of indecent exposure, most near schools

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police (SPD) in connection to 14 counts of indecent exposure near Lake Forest Park.

11 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

13 hours ago

Lower speed limits in Seattle gets unanimous approval